My husband and I go camping more than most of my friends, making us the “outdoorsy” ones in our circle. But we are far from roughing it when we do. We car camp, meaning we drive up to our campsite and park. Then we set up our huge tent (suitable for six people, though there are only two of us), our queen-sized air mattress, and a camping grill. And yes, we bring along our French press and/or travel pour-over dripper because we need coffee before our big hikes! But one thing we recently added to our list of supplies for our trips is the Lavatools PT 12 Javelin thermometer.
What Makes the Lavatools Javelin Thermometer Great?
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As much as I love the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, the winner of our instant-read thermometer review, it’s expensive and not something I want to carry around in my duffel bag on a camping trip. The Lavatool PT12 is compact, at three-quarters the size of the Thermapen ONE and half its weight. With a foldable probe, it’s easy to use, and even more importantly, it’s reasonably priced at a quarter of the cost of the Thermapen ONE. So if I accidentally step on it, lose it, or drop it in the grill while I’m cooking up some chops, it won’t break the bank to replace it.
It’s also super intuitive to use. Just unfold the metal temperature probe in the back and stick it into whatever you want to measure—when I’m camping, that’s usually a piece of meat on the grill or a pot of water for coffee. The digital screen in the front quickly gives you a reading. Beyond all that, the thermometer also has a magnetic back that comes in handy at home, where I store it on the side of our microwave.
Serious Eats / Irvin Lin
It’s a fairly speedy read, giving an accurate temperature in about four to five seconds. It’s also IP65 splash-proof, which is great because I’m fairly clumsy in the kitchen. The thermometer also has a loop at the end, so I can attach it to a lanyard or my backpack. Not that I’ve done that, as I’m not that hardcore enough to go deep woods backpacking with a digital thermometer.
FAQs
A probe thermometer should have a comfortable grip and be intuitive to use. It should read the temperature quickly and accurately, and it should also have a large digital display, making it easy to read.
Our favorite probe thermometer is the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE; it gives accurate readings nearly instantly, has a large light-up screen, and is easy to use. It has a grippy edge that’s comfortable to hold, and the screen rotates. The Lavatools PT12 Javelin is also a great compact budget option, ideal for travel and as a secondary thermometer in the kitchen.
The Lavatools Javelin displays temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius. You can change the settings by opening up the battery door by twisting it with a coin. Remove the battery to find a very small switch that allows you to change the temperature setting. Switch to whichever you prefer, then replace the battery and door.
Why We’re the Experts
- Irvin Lin is an avid camper and maximalist traveler, despite always trying to streamline his gear. He is also a cookbook author, recipe developer, food writer, photographer, and ceramicist.
- He wrote the cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered, which was picked by the New York Times as one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016.
- He runs a blog called Eat the Love, where he’s developed, photographed, and written recipes since 2010. Eat the Love was nominated twice for best food blog by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2016 and 2022.
- He’s product tested and reviewed hundreds of kitchen items including instant-read thermometers, stand mixers, and saucepans.
